My time in Portland began by picking my family up from the airport as they returned from Montana, and some extended family visiting from the Seattle area. My uncle and cousin, along with some friends, participated in a biking event known as the "STP", the "Seattle to Portland" ride. They spent two days biking from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR, and came to visit after finishing the ride. It was a great experience to hear them talk about their ride, plans for future rides, and to see my cousin so excited about a new hobby. It was a full house, but a fun time to reconnect with family and eat good food!
A few days later, Dana, Lacey and I made plans to get together and go for a hike. Dana knew of a park in the Lake Oswego area with trails and streams, so we met in Lake Oswego and spent a good portion of the afternoon on the trail. Once again, I am amazed by the beauty of God's creation, and the diversity as well. I find Oregon to be so beautiful, yet it is very different from the beauty that I find in Montana, Florida, and many other places I have traveled. All a testiment to the creator who takes such care in His creation, the world and its people alike. Picture: Lacey, Me, and Dana tearing up the trails in Lake Oswego.
My on going adventure has been teaching my little sister how to drive. It has been a challenging experience, to be sure, for the both of us. However, she is a fast learner and responsive to instruction. I know she will be driving on her own in no time. The proof is even in the pudding with an hour long drive last night consisting of I-
205 and I-5 at 65 mph! Yeeeee Haaaaa!
Over the weekend I had some true family bonding time. My parents, Lacey and I visited the Lake Oswego Farmer's Market on Saturday where we sipped lemonade, munched on some delicious baked goods, bought fresh fruits and vegetables, and enjoyed a beautiful Oregon day. The wonderful morning was followed by some quick errands, lunch on the deck of a great restaurant (Manzana), and a long nap at home. Truly the perfect Saturday! Picture: The Saturday Market in Lake Oswego
Sunday we attended church where the preacher offered an encouraging message that really spoke to my heart. I love it when that happens! Following the service we piled into the family VW Passat convertible for a drive up the Colombia Gorge. We stopped at Multnomah Falls for a hike, pictures, and some ice cream. The hike was very beautiful, and I love the Columbia Gorge. The whole time I was thinking, "I could really live here". However, we will see what God has planned. As it is stated in a currently popular country song, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans".
Picture: Multnomah Falls
The week began and my parents returned to work. Lacey and I returned to our daily driving practice, and I put the final touches on my plans for Haiti. On Monday I was hosted by Dana and Ron and invited over for dinner. We had a delicious meal and a fun game of Scrabble. And yes, I am proud to say that my highest score was 26 from adding letters onto another existing word. I am oh so creative! And yes, I am college educated. Ron successfully stomped Dana and I, but it was a fun game just the same. While at Ron and Dana's house, Dana and I made plans to hike Mt. Hood later that week.
The following day Lacey and I got up early and headed into the city. Our goal...to visit the Japanese Gardens in Portland's Washington Park. I must say that I am really impressed with all the fun things there are to do in Portland,
many of which we found in Washington Park. This is a huge park and extremely beautiful. There are large areas of grass perfect for picnics or frisbee, but there is also the Portland Zoo, the Portland Rose gardens, lots of fountains and walking trails. Basically, I love it there. Lacey and I did successfully make it to the Japanese Gardens, and they are amazing. After spending a year at ECHO my appreciation for gardening has really grown. However, gardening at ECHO and in many other places is very functional. One gardens to grow food, or to get exercise, or to fill space in their yard. However, the Japanese Gardens are a work of art. These gardens are not what I would normally consider functional, they are more artistic with every section producing its own sense of beauty and peace. Picture: Me on one of the bridges in the Japanese Gardens
On Wednesday I drove to Dana and Ron's to meet Dana for our Mt. Hood adventure. And that is exactly what it became, an adventure! We drove up to Mt. Hood, parked, and set out for our first hike. We hiked from the base lodge to the top of the first ski lift. The hike was pretty much straight up hill, but fun and beautiful too. By the time we got to the top, we had definitely given our lungs a workout. We stopped and had lunch at a picnic table and then made plans to continue hiking. We wanted to continue hiking up from where we were, but we quickly discovered that there weren't any hiking trails above the chair lift. Our next option was to hike, or take the chair lift, down to the lodge and continue hiking on the other side of the parking lot. Picture: Mt. Hood from the parking lot at the beginning of our day.
Dana told me that Ron, her and her sister had taken the chair lift down the last time they came and that it was free. So we decided to save some time and take the chair lift down to the lodge. We got in line amidst a group of skier who had been up on the mountain for the day, and prepared to load. What a strange feeling to stand among a group of people wearing long underwear and Spider ski wear, while donning our own tennis shoes, shorts and t-shirts. You think this would have been our first clue!
Dana and I prepared to load the chair lift and the lift operator simply smiled and watched us get on. We enjoyed the beautiful ride to the bottom where we were suprised by the lift operator on the bottom running out of his office to greet us. He asked us if we had tickets and we told him that we didn't. We explained that Dana had been down the chair lift before and had not been stopped, and that the operator at the top had also failed to check for tickets or let us know that they were needed. The operator continued by explaining that we would need to buy a ticket and that the fact that the operator at the top had not said anything was simply due to the fact that "He's new".
But wait, it gets even better. While I was trying to register what this guy was saying I failed to watch where I was going and tripped myself on the edge of the walk way. And oh yes, I went down. I fell forward catching myself with my hands, but not before skinning both of my knees. So not only were we being asked to pay for a tickets, which we should have been informed of before loading the ride, but both of my knees were bleeding. And oh yes, it gets better still. Picture: Me and my scrapped knees! Man, I am such a klutz!
The operator informed us that we could get a hiker's pass, so we decided that's what we would do. As I approached the ticket window, knees bleeding, and the lift operator looking over my shoulder, I realize that my wallet is in Dana's car, and that Dana has no money on her. Great! Could this get any better! The lift operator told me he was going to find the first aid kit for my knees, so I took a seat on a bench while Dana ran to the car to retrieve my wallet. The whole time I cannot believe that the lift operator is enforcing the payment of these passes! Talk about poor customer relations.
Shortly after the lift operator left for the first aid kit he returned with a Nalgene of water and some paper towels! Apparently he could not find the first aid kit, so this would have to do. He knelt down and put his knee up, asking me to put my leg on his knee. He poured the water over my bleeding knee and dabbed it with the paper towel. Let me tell you, I'm glad that there are skiers and hikers all over this mountain and the lift operators cannot find the first-aid kit, let alone administer correct first-aid! Maybe that is unfair to say, and I am just upset by the seemingly bizarre situation. I'm sure they are better trained then it seems, but sometimes the writing is on the wall.
Well, Dana returned with my wallet and we again approached the ticket window to purchase our "hiker's passes". I asked the guy at the window for a hiker's pass and he informed me that it was $12. Suprised by the expensive price I
asked if that was for both Dana and myself. He responded, "$12 per person". Consulting the board posted next to the window I quickly discovered that $12 was the price for a full-day lift ticket. Needless to say, I was completely shocked and angered. Apparently there isn't a "hiker's pass". So I paid $24 for Dana and I's chair lift ride down Mt. Hood. By far the most expensive chair-lift ride of my life. Picture: View from the chair-lift on the way down.
However, we were determined not to let this ruin our day. We walked to the other side of the parking lot, knees still bleeding, and began hiking another trail. The physical exertion of the hike helped me dispell some of my anger and frustration, but I am still determined to write a letter of complaint. Okay, okay, I guess I should really let it go. In retrospect though, Dana and I had two great hikes, beautiful views, and a fun time together. And when you really think about it, the whole chair-lift incident is a great story! So I hope you have enjoyed it!
The last few days I have attempted to organize some of my things and get packed for upcoming trips. Tonight is actually my last night in Portland and I will be headed for the Seattle area tomorrow morning. I am going to help at a Cancer Camp for kids for the next week, and am really excited for the opportunity to serve there. I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing just yet, but I know that it will be a blast to be around such neat kids regardless. More soon...
